Reading Student Flats Refused

Plans to replace a community furniture store in Silver Street, Reading with student housing have been thrown out.

Reading borough councillors supported the planning officers' recommendation to refuse the application for 65 student flats on the site of McQueen House.

The proposals included student accommodation, a gym and a laundry room, which if given the go-ahead would have been larger than the existing building.

Local residents argued the design for the site was overbearing, while councillors questioned the need for more student accommodation in Reading.

In particular, councillor Tony Page, borough leader, suggested there had been a tsunami of student accommodation applications and if demand dropped, the buildings would become "the potential slums of the future."

Applicant Chamberwell Investment Services had sought to address fears about traffic by making the halls of residence a non-car zone, however this this was not enough to persuade councillors to approve the plans.